Aziridine Derivative for the Synthesis of a Trifluoroalkylamine Moiety

1-Tosyl-2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)aziridine (1), which is utilized in the synthesis of trifluoroalkylamine derivatives, reacts with various carbon and nitrogen nucleophiles to provide ring-opening adducts with high regioselectivity and in high yields. Furthermore, when the indole adduct 2 is treated with acetaldehyde, the tetrahydroharmine derivative containing a fluorinated functional group (3) is afforded via a Pictet-Spengler reaction. 1 is anticipated to be used as a building block for fluoroamine synthesis and heterocycles for pharmaceutical and agrochemical research.